Reusable pouring spout system and method of improving the pouring and storage of particulate material housed in bulk packaging

ABSTRACT

A removable dispensing system for improving the extraction of pourable material from bulk packaging. The system includes a spout having an end with a flanged base and an end with a closure mechanism. The spout is connected to the bulk packaging with a two-sided adhesive element or coupler. The coupler attaches to the packaging and to the flanged base of the spout. The spout may be removed by hand and attached to a different package.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/655,571, filed Jul. 20, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/364,695, filed Jul. 20, 2016, all thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

Many products are distributed in bags and bulk packaging formed ofpaper, plastic or other substrates. Bulk packaging containing solid dryparticulate or liquids must often be permanently opened. For example,some bags or boxes must be cut or torn open in order to pour out theproduct they contain. Others may include an integrated closable pouringregion—usually along the top of the packaging. In either case, thepackaging is designed with a one-use seal. Once opened, the packagecannot be resealed. Often it is desirable to remove only a portion ofthe contents for immediate use. The remainder must then be disposed of,allowed to sit unsealed, or transferred to secondary storage containersthat occupy substantial storage space.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure aim to address the problem ofsingle-use containers and reducing waste or the need for secondarystorage containers. As will be described in more detail below, thedisclosed technology is directed to methods and apparatus for areusable, sealable dispensing system that may be attached to bulkpackaging via an adhesive element or coupler.

The dispensing system includes a spout. The spout in some embodimentsincludes a flanged end configured to attach to a two-sided couplercovered with an adhesive selected to make the spout removable by hand.When the package has been emptied, the spout may be removed and attachedto a new package or container with a new adhesive element or coupler.

The spout also has an end designed to be closed and/or sealed shut whennot in use. Various mechanisms for closing and/or sealing the end arecontemplated, as are differing cross-sectional shapes for the spout. Topour the contents of the packaging, a hole is created, formed, cut orotherwise provided in the packaging container. Creation of a hole isconsidered at various points during the spout connection process. Whenattached to bulk packaging, the system creates a reusable and optionallyresealable, space-efficient storage solution.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of theclaimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the samebecome better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative embodiment of areusable dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure, wherein the reusable dispensing system is coupled to a bulkpackaging container;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are top and bottom exploded views of the reusabledispensing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the dispensing system of FIG. 2 connectedto the bulk packaging container; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of reusable dispensing systemscoupled to bulk packaging containers at different locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as adescription of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter andis not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodimentdescribed in this disclosure is provided merely as an example orillustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageousover other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein arenot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter tothe precise forms disclosed.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a representative embodiment of areusable dispensing system, generally designated 20, formed inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1,the reusable dispensing system 20 is suitable for use with a bulkpackaging container BP. As will be appreciated by the followingdisclosure, the reusable dispensing system 20 is suitable for use by aconsumer to assist in dispensing or pouring a solid dry particulateproduct contained in the bulk packaging container BP while maintainingthe freshness of the product and minimizing spillage. Products include,but are not limited to animal food, fertilizers, chemicals, and otherdry, solid particulate material suitable for being housed in a bag orother bulk packaging, etc.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded views of a representative embodiment of thereusable dispensing system 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the reusabledispensing system 20 comprises a spout 30, a coupler 40 configured todetachably connect the spout 30 to the bulk packaging container BP, anda closure or cap 50. Of course, in some embodiments, the coupler can beconfigured to couple the spout 30 to the bulk packaging container BP ina more permanent manner for single use purposes.

In the embodiment shown, the spout 30 includes a body with circularcross section and a flanged base 32. However, it will be appreciatedthat other geometries, such as ovaloid or rectangular cross-sections,may be practiced with embodiments of the present disclosure. In eachcase, the spout 30 defines openings 34, 36 at its upper and lower ends,respectively. The openings 34, 36 are interconnected via conduit 38.

The spout 30 is formed from either petro-based or bio-based plasticsthat have been approved for food contact by the FDA, but alternativessuch as steel, aluminum, or any other material suitable for contact withthe items contained in bulk packaging may be used. In some embodiments,the spout can include materials, such as polylactic acid (PLA),bio-derived polyethylene, cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polypropylene (PP), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-DensityPolyethylene (LDPE), and polycarbonate (PC).

As briefly stated above, the spout 30 is attached to the bulk packagingcontainer BP via the coupler 40. The coupler 40 in some embodiments isshaped and sized to match the outward facing surface of the flange 32.In the embodiment shown, the coupler 40 is formed as a ring. The innerhole 42 defined by the ring is sized and configured to cooperate withthe lower opening 36 of the spout 30. The coupler 40 is made from asuitable material, such as rubber, a polymer foam, or plastic, to namejust a few. In some embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces 44 and 48of the coupler 40 or section thereof are coated with an adhesive 48. Inother embodiments, the coupler 40 may additionally or alternatively haveinherently adhesive properties. In some embodiments, the adhesive isselected from a class of removable adhesives. In some embodiments, theremovable adhesive is R3500 removable acrylic adhesive sold by 3M™. Insome embodiments, the coupler is formed out of a removable adhesiveputty, such as Blu-Tack™, a removable acrylic adhesive double-sidedadhesive tape, etc. In some embodiments, the surfaces of the couplerinclude backing paper that is removed prior to use.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the spout 30 is connected to the bulk packagingcontainer BP by the coupler 40. When ready for use, one side of thecoupler 40 is attached to the flanged base 32 of spout 30 via adhesive48 a and the other side of the coupler 40 is attached via adhesive 48 bto the bulk packaging container BP. The adhesive 48 a connecting spout30 to the coupler 40 is selected such that spout 30 may be removed fromthe bulk packaging container BP by hand. After spout 30 has beenremoved, a new bulk packaging container may be selected, and a newcoupler 40 can be employed to attach the spout 30 to the new bulkpackaging container for continued use. In some embodiments the sameadhesive material is used on both the spout and package sides of thecoupler 40. In other embodiments, different adhesives with differentadhesive properties are used to connect to the spout and the package.

Various forms of closing and/or sealing the spout 30 once connected tothe bulk packaging container BP are contemplated for practice withembodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the end of thespout 30 opposite the flanged base 32 includes external threads 62,which are configured to cooperatively connect with internal threads 64of the cap 50. As such, the cap 50 and threads 62, 64 combine to formone embodiment of a closure mechanism. Other embodiments of closuremechanisms are contemplated to be practiced with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. For example, a closure mechanism can be providedthat comprises a spout with internal threads and a threaded plug. Toclose the spout, the plug is inserted into the opening of the spout andtightened. In other embodiment, a closure mechanism composed of only aplug to be inserted into the end of the spout can be utilized. The plugin this embodiment can be made of a material such as rubber, plastic,metal, or any other material suitable for forming a seal and a fictionfit with the opening of the spout. In other embodiments, a closuremechanism is formed by a cap with a lip or other form of internal ridgethat snaps onto (or over, or into) the end of the spout.

A method for assembling the reusable dispensing system 20 onto the bulkpackaging container BP will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1,2A-2B, and 3. It will be appreciated that the order in which theelements of the reusable dispensing system 20 are attached may vary.Returning to FIG. 3, the coupling 30 may initially be attached to eitherthe spout 30 or the bulk packaging container BP before being used tomate the two. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the coupler 40 is firstattached to the bulk packaging container BP via adhesive 42 b. If thecoupler 40 is first attached to the bulk packaging container BP it maybe used as a guide or template to assist users in the creation of a hole70.

For example, hole 70 is to be made in the bulk packaging container BPbefore the contents of the bulk packaging container BP may be extractedthrough the spout 30. In some embodiments, the hole can be cut out viautility knife or other sharp bladed device. The hole 70 may be madebefore the coupler 40 is attached to the bulk packaging container BP,after the coupler 40 is attached to the bulk packaging container BP butbefore the spout 30 is attached to the coupler 40, or after both thecoupler 40 and spout 30 have been attached to the bulk packagingcontainer BP.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the coupler 40 is first attached tothe bulk packaging container BP and then the hole 70 is formed in thebulk packaging container BP. Next, the base flange 32 of the spout 30 isaligned with and pressed down against the coupler 40, affixing the spout30 to the bulk packaging container BP. Once attached, the spout 30 canbe used to selectively empty the contents of the bulk packagingcontainer BP. Cap 50 can be used to close and seal the bulk packagingcontainer BP between uses.

After the bulk packaging container BP has been emptied, the spout 30 maybe removed by hand. In one embodiment, the spout 30 separates from thecoupler 40 when pulled therefrom while the coupler 40 remains attachedto the now-empty packaging container. A new coupler 40 may then be usedto attach the spout 30 to a new bulk packaging container.

Various forms of bulk packaging containers are suitable for use with theremovable spout. For example, the bulk packaging containers includewithout limitation: boxes, bags, or other means of storing solidparticulate or liquid goods. The containers may be made of pulp, paper,plastic, metal, or other materials typical of bulk storage.

The disclosed reusable dispensing system eliminates the need to tearopen a bag or packaged product, provides a convenient solution to resealthe package, and precludes the need for secondary storage containers.All the user needs to do is remove the cap and pour the material fromthe bulk packaging or bag through the pouring spout of the flanged baseafter the reusable pouring spout is attached in the manner describedabove. Due to the uniquely tested and identified adhesion properties ofthe adhesive ring, the flanged based is simply and easily removed byhand once the once the bulk contents have been depleted. The flange baseis then ready to be reused in conjunction with a new coupler.

It should be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, terminologysuch as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,”“outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” etc., should beconstrued as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimedsubject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and“mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompassdirect and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation ofthe present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description.However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to beprotected are not to be construed as limited to the particularembodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are tobe regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will beappreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, andequivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure, as claimed.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A reusable dispensingsystem, comprising: a spout having an end configured for attaching to acontainer, the end including a flanged base; a coupler having a flangedbase facing surface and a container facing surface, the couplerincluding adhesive on both the flanged base facing surface and thecontainer facing surface, the coupler positioned on the flanged base;and a cap sealing an end of the spout.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe coupler is a polymeric ring.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein theadhesive applied to the polymeric ring is selected to facilitateremoval, by hand, of the flanged base.
 4. The system of claim 2, whereinthe cross-section of the spout is circular.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the cap is a threaded cap and the spout has threads configuredto mate with the threaded cap.
 6. A method for using a reusabledispensing system with a bulk packaging container having contents, thesystem including a spout and a two-sided adhesive coupler, the methodcomprising: applying the first side of the removable adhesive coupler tothe spout; attaching the spout to the bulk packaging by applying thesecond side of the adhesive element to the bulk packaging container;providing a hole in the bulk packaging container; pouring an amount ofcontents through the spout; and closing the spout.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the hole in the bulk packaging container is providedprior to the attachment of the spout.
 8. The method of claim 6, whereinthe hole in the bulk packaging container is provided after theattachment of the spout.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the spout isused as a guide to shape the hole.
 10. The method of claim 6, whereinthe second side of the coupler is attached to the bulk packagingcontainer before the first side of the coupler is attached the spout.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the hole in the bulk packagingcontainer is provided after the coupler is attached to the bulkpackaging container, and before the first side of the coupler isattached to the bulk packaging container.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising: cutting the hole in the bulk packaging containerusing the coupler as a guide.
 13. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising: removing the spout from the coupler connecting it to thebulk packaging container.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theadhesive connecting the ring to the spout is selected such that thespout may be removed by hand.
 15. An apparatus for improved pouring ofgoods from bulk packaging, comprising: a bulk packaging containercontaining goods; a removable spout; an adhesive element connecting thespout to the bulk packaging, the adhesive element configured such thatthe spout may be removed; and means for closing the spout.